Population 72,162 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in ZIP 85281
Household size in ZIP 85281
| Period | ZIP 85281 | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.25 | 2.83 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.35 | 2.91 | 2.84 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.37 | 2.91 | 2.82 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.17 | 2.80 | 2.70 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | −0.03 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Households in ZIP 85281 are small: just 2.17 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has edged down from 2.25 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in ZIP 85281
| Period | ZIP 85281 | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.1 | 35.6 | 36.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 25.0 | 36.9 | 38.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 26.3 | 38.3 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 26.7 | 39.1 | 40.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.6 | +3.5 | +3.5 | +2.3 |
ZIP 85281 is young: half of its residents are under 26.7, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults in their twenties. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 26.1, a smaller shift than nationally. Of the 237 Arizona ZIP codes with 5,000+ people, only three are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in ZIP 85281
| Period | ZIP 85281 | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 13.6% | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.1% | 14.0% | 13.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.8% | 12.8% | 12.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.1% | 12.9% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.3 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in ZIP 85281: 6.1% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 4.3 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. ZIP 85281 has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Arizona ZIP codes.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in ZIP 85281
Renters in ZIP 85281
| Period | ZIP 85281 | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 74.1% | 32.8% | 32.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 78.4% | 37.7% | 36.6% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 80.1% | 36.6% | 35.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 76.9% | 33.4% | 32.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | +0.6 pts | +0.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in ZIP 85281 rent: 76.9% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 55.1% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 2.7 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in ZIP 85281
| Period | ZIP 85281 | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.0% | 14.1% | 15.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.8% | 14.1% | 15.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.1% | 10.8% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.7% | 8.4% | 9.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.3 pts | −5.6 pts | −5.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.7% of the housing in ZIP 85281, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 6.3 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in ZIP 85281
| Period | ZIP 85281 | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1977 | 1988 | 1987 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1989 | 1988 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1990 | 1989 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1993 | 1993 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +16 | +6 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in ZIP 85281 is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1993, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1977 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the center, the oldest in the southwest.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in ZIP 85281
| Period | ZIP 85281 | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $876 | $1,123 | $1,043 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $994 | $1,158 | $1,078 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,190 | $1,342 | $1,227 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,698 | $1,927 | $1,736 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$822 | +$804 | +$694 | +$606 |
A typical rental in ZIP 85281 costs $1,698 a month with utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are lower than in the Phoenix area overall ($1,927). Rent has climbed $822 a month since 2006–10, up 94%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 35.0% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in ZIP 85281
Bachelor's degrees in ZIP 85281
| Period | ZIP 85281 | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.4% | 27.8% | 26.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 42.9% | 28.5% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 47.8% | 31.1% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 55.9% | 35.0% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +14.5 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in ZIP 85281: 55.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 14.5 points, in line with the national trend.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in ZIP 85281
| Period | ZIP 85281 | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.3% | 85.0% | 84.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.4% | 86.0% | 85.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.9% | 87.2% | 86.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.6% | 89.5% | 89.1% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.3 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in ZIP 85281 is above the national rate: 93.6% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 6.3 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in ZIP 85281
| Period | ZIP 85281 | Phoenix area | Arizona | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 7.2% | 7.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.5% | 9.3% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 5.3% | 6.0% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.3% | 4.8% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been harder to find in ZIP 85281 than nationally: unemployment was 7.3%, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 3.5 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
ZIP 85281 compared with nearby ZIP codes
| ZIP code | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP 85281 | 2.17 | 26.7 | 6.1% | 76.9% | 14.7% | 1993 | $1,698 | 55.9% | 93.6% | 7.3% |
| ZIP 85282 | 2.36 | 35.3 | 10.5% | 52.4% | 8.8% | 1979 | $1,930 | 43.8% | 93.7% | 4.2% |
| ZIP 85257 | 2.00 | 40.2 | 6.6% | 41.1% | 11.8% | 1974 | $1,953 | 48.7% | 94.9% | 3.4% |
| ZIP 85202 | 2.36 | 35.5 | 12.4% | 50.6% | 9.6% | 1980 | $1,641 | 34.0% | 92.2% | 4.9% |
| ZIP 85283 | 2.47 | 36.7 | 11.4% | 49.2% | 6.7% | 1984 | $1,717 | 45.2% | 93.9% | 5.3% |
| ZIP 85201 | 2.53 | 34.4 | 15.3% | 58.7% | 9.1% | 1980 | $1,426 | 27.3% | 86.7% | 4.9% |
| ZIP 85251 | 1.88 | 40.4 | 5.7% | 50.6% | 15.1% | 1981 | $1,974 | 61.1% | 96.0% | 3.9% |
| ZIP 85008 | 2.72 | 31.2 | 17.1% | 69.0% | 8.8% | 1976 | $1,369 | 23.7% | 72.6% | 4.9% |
| ZIP 85210 | 2.69 | 33.2 | 20.2% | 55.8% | 7.0% | 1985 | $1,648 | 24.2% | 83.3% | 4.3% |
| ZIP 85284 | 2.65 | 46.7 | 7.3% | 18.4% | 3.1% | 1992 | $2,319 | 71.6% | 98.1% | 4.1% |
| ZIP 85034 | 1.81 | 42.9 | 8.6% | 79.1% | 46.2% | 2002 | $1,586 | 21.8% | 84.0% | 15.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Zip codes with similar populations: 90631, CA · 37075, TN · 46307, IN · 00949, PR · 60641, IL · 75002, TX · 75067, TX · 76179, TX · 85032, AZ · 85383, AZ
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up ZIP 85281. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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